596771 Mon Feb 16 17:55:33 -0800 2009 6 15 Pennsylvania 0 4423225 Is there such a place that can: 1) IS allergy conscious 2) Assure no cross contamination 3) Willing to list the ingredients on a menu for allergies We have a kid with allergies to Dairy, Nut, Eggs. So we tend to carry his meal from home. It would be nice if we could have places that cater to this. The local FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphalaxis Network) has many mane members. They have also had some local restaurant chefs over for information sessions, claiming their restaurants to be in a category catering to "food allergies". But in reality they DO NOT (yes, Christopher's in Wayne...this is you!). All you chefs out there...are you listening? Speak up and we'll all be there! Perhaps have an allergy conscious evening, if not the regular daily menu...pick a low profile weekday evening, any...you know you have those... Mon Feb 16 17:55:33 -0800 2009 266915 bmcdeepak 1 4428132 It may not apply to your son, but I did just see a bit on foobooz about gluten-free options: http://foobooz.com/2009/02/gluten-free-menu-items/ Also, Sazon will prepare gluten-free (and perhaps other items) in a separate area to avoid contamination: http://www.sazonrestaurant.com/ Have you tried vegan restaurants, like Horizons: http://www.horizonsphiladelphia.com/ Do you think that restaurants fear increased cost (for things like staff training) and liability issues with advertising or attempting to cater to serious food allergies? I'm curious to know from someone who works in the restaurant business. Wed Feb 18 07:47:38 -0800 2009 4423225 13076 urbanfabric 2 4428367 Second Sazon. They are great for allergies and kid friendly. You might want to give them a call. I know that they are good for vegetarians and gluten allergies. Dairy may be a different issue. Regarding guarantees that's a different kettle of fish. Restaurant kitchens are small. Once you start talking about guarantees they tend to say they can't accommodate. Zero cross contamination is almost impossible to guarantee. We have had good luck but accidents happen. Wed Feb 18 08:56:05 -0800 2009 4428132 11355 joluvscards 3 4428554 Thanks for the Sazon lead. It does look intriguing and interesting. We'll have to check it out. Liability is the same once you decide to feed people and charge them for it.... Wed Feb 18 09:42:07 -0800 2009 4428367 266915 bmcdeepak 1 4434217 I am super sympathetic because I have a lot of friends & family whose children have serious allergies. It's scary, in part because many (most?) people just do.not.get.it. I know, because although I don't consider myself expert, I used to know even less than I do now. I don't have any specific suggestions, but what about kosher places that aren't dairy? That sounds like an angle that might work for you. If you find an accomodating chef you could mention that many restauarants in Europe and NYC are starting to offer these special menus or special nights... might help make it seem more actionable. HTH, and good luck! Thu Feb 19 18:38:52 -0800 2009 4423225 42513 Mawrter 1 4439324 Wish I knew of some places, but agree with the other suggestions & comments so far. I think cross-contamination will be the hardest issue to be assured of due to the space limits of most restaurant kitchens. And I do feel your pain - I have a very bizarre food allergy (garlic, unless well-sauteed first. I can't eat it raw, or oven-roasted--must be something in the cloves' oil) and it's one of those things I've stumbled upon and gotten sick over far too many times, even when I thought I was ordering safely or voiced my problems clearly to the waitstaff first. Sat Feb 21 11:50:03 -0800 2009 4423225 267087 sockii 1 4440800 I have a friend with Gluten allergies who loves Green Papaya in Exton. This is a second hand recommendation, so take it for what it is worth, but he goes there a couple of times a week and always comes back happy. Sun Feb 22 05:29:02 -0800 2009 4423225 263701 jec6